Synthesis of capsule film from water-soluble chitosan by adding sodium lauryl sulfate

Mixtures comprising water-soluble chitosan (WSC), agar and different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) were used to synthesize capsule films. The concentration of agar was fixed at 0.02 %, whereas the concentration (v/v) of SLS varied (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 %). Shrimp shell waste was subjected to demineralization, deproteination and deacetylation to obtain chitosan. The chitosan thus obtained was depolymerized to produce water-soluble chitosan (WSC). Fourier-Transform infrared (FTIR) baseline method was used for calculating the degree of deacetylation of chitosan. FTIR spectra of the obtained capsule film exhibited vibrations of its constituent molecules, namely agar, chitosan and SLS. The elasticity of the film matrix increased with SLS concentrations. In swelling tests conducted using water and 0.1 N HCl, the highest swelling values, 123.74 and 235.87 %, respectively were observed in the capsule film containing 0.08 % SLS in the 10th min. The capsule film containing 0.08 % SLS was degraded (broken) in water and 0.1 N HCl in the 10th and 30th min, respectively. The results indicated that a capsule film containing 0.08% SLS was the most eligible film for commercial use.